Short Stories

The Diamond of Roseville

_patches

lilybaeum

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I watched the cigarette smoke rise up to the ceiling in swirling tendrils. It flickered in and out sight in time with the dull yellow lightbulb.

I sighed and turned my tired gaze back to the crumpled newspaper in my lap.

Once, I would've scoured it with pleasure and anticipation for any sign of a new mystery for me to solve.

But now I've left my detective days behind me and spend my days rotting away in my filthy apartment, no two coins to rub together and not enough energy to truly care about anything happening in Roseville.

But with nothing else to do, now that my small old-fashioned TV was broken and I didn't have the money for a new one, I read the paper from time to time.

It was on one of these such occasions that I stumbled across an article that triggered something in me that I hadn't felt in a long time: interest.

My cigarette was left forgotten between my fingers as my back straightened and my eyes scanned the short article.

DIAMOND RING VANISHES INTO THIN AIR!

Barbara Garson (71) of Westward Road 12, Roseville, reported the theft of her treasured diamond wedding ring on 26th of September at 12:37. She claimed to keep it in a vault in her bedroom and to always lock her doors.

"I may be old, but my senses are as sharp as ever! I would have noticed if someone broke in in the night!", Barbara stated when asked if it was possible she missed something. Police investigated, but found no incriminating evidence.

So far, the only suspects are her neighbors and two farm hands, who do not wish to share their identities.

If you have any information, please contact 123-456-789 or tell the police immediately! Reward for recovery of jewelry or information regarding its recovery: $10,000.

BLADDER PROBLEMS? WETTING THE BED? CONSTANTLY NEED TO GO? IF SO, THIS IS THE PRODUCT FOR Y

I stopped reading and started rubbing my stubbly chin thoughtfully. Ten thousand wasn't bad and I needed the money. It didn't sound too hard to solve the mystery of an old lady's missing wedding ring, so maybe it was time to get back into business. Temporarily, of course.

~•~

I jumped when I heard a knock at my door, though logically, I should have known it was about to happen: the way their footsteps slowed and stopped outside my door was a dead giveaway.

I just assumed whoever it was was taking a break from all the stairs, as the only person who ever came to visit was my landlord demanding money and the pizza delivery man and my landlord wasn't do for a visit for another week. And I don't think I ordered a pizza...

I didn't answer the door. It must have been a salesperson or something else I couldn't care less about.

This time, I was prepared for the knock- I hadn't heard the footsteps retreating.

The stranger went on like that for four and a half more minutes, knocking every thirty seconds or so.

Finally, I'd had enough.

"What do you want?" I shouted, not bothering to get up and open the door.

The stranger tentatively opened the unlocked door.

I raised an eyebrow at my unexpected guest. He was a kid.

He looked to be around sixteen or seventeen, probably a nerd judging by his tucked in shirt and ink-stained fingers. His black hair was combed, but slightly wind-swept.